Gals We Admire: Laura Calder

This Canadian career gal has the best of both worlds—she gets to work alone at times, and as a team during other times. Find out what Laura Calder, the witty and charming host of Food Network Canada's French Food at Home, has to say about her career as a writer and TV personality.

Name: Laura Calder

Profession: Food Writer and Television Host

Website: lauracalder.ca

Twitter handle: @LauraCalder

Describe your typical work day, from start to finish

My preference is for a very early start. I get up and respond to e-mails with tea in hand. Then, if I’m writing, I get right at it because my energy is best early. Early afternoons are my time for a long walk or yoga. Then I go buy food and come home and cook (often this involves recipe testing). If I’m on a television shoot, it’s a different story: my start to the day is even earlier, hair and makeup gets thrown in, and I don’t see daylight. Luckily that schedule only ever lasts a matter of weeks.

When you were a kid, what did you want to grow up to be?

A diplomat.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

I like the balance between physical and cerebral activity and I like the balance between working alone (writing) and working with teams (television).

What do you find to be the biggest challenge in your profession?
With a job like mine, there’s no way to be anonymous and that can be difficult to manage. Public people often get objectified and treated accordingly, which is no fun, and there is a constant demand to do things for free which, after a certain point, becomes impossible (plus, it’s insulting).

Do you believe you had a "calling" for your profession?
I think I do.

What are the most important pieces of career advice you would give to other Canadian Career Gals?
Be true to yourself.

When people tell you you can’t do something, prove them wrong.